 |
|
Mysuru's recent inclusion in the 'Super Swachh League' (SSL), a newly introduced category under the Swachh Survekshan framework of the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban (SBM-U), marks a significant achievement and reinforces its reputation as a city committed to cleanliness and sustainable urban development. This recognition, specifically for cities within the population range of 3 lakh to 10 lakh, signifies not just a single instance of high performance, but a consistent track record of excellence in maintaining urban sanitation standards. The 'Super Swachh League' is designed to acknowledge and celebrate cities that have consistently demonstrated top performance in past Swachh Survekshan editions, effectively creating an elite tier of urban centers dedicated to upholding the highest standards of cleanliness. The selection criteria for the SSL is based on consistently high performance and achievement over time. Mysuru has been chosen, other cities with similar population sizes include Chandigarh, Noida, Ujjain, Gandhinagar, and Guntur. It is a testament to the sustained efforts of the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC), its sanitation workers, and the active participation of its citizens. Unlike regular rankings, the SSL designation doesn't assign a specific numerical rank to each included city; instead, it serves as a recognition of their consistent high performance. This emphasis on consistency is crucial, as it highlights the importance of long-term commitment and sustainable practices in maintaining urban cleanliness. While Mysuru had experienced a slight dip in its national ranking in 2023, sliding to 27th place, this setback seems to have spurred renewed efforts and a stronger focus on improving its performance across various parameters of the Swachh Survekshan framework. The authorities from the MCC emphasized that Mysuru's inclusion in the SSL reflects the collective dedication to upholding the city's legacy of cleanliness, sustainability, and public participation. This collaborative approach, involving the local government, sanitation workforce, and the general public, is essential for achieving and sustaining high levels of urban sanitation. The SSL initiative is not just about recognizing past achievements; it is also about fostering a spirit of healthy competition and continuous improvement among the top-performing cities. By creating a 'Champions League' environment, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) aims to encourage cities to strive for excellence beyond mere compliance with the Swachh Survekshan guidelines. This drive for excellence can lead to innovative solutions and best practices in urban cleanliness, sanitation, and waste management, which can then be shared and adopted by other cities across the country. The Swachh Survekshan framework itself is a comprehensive assessment tool that evaluates cities based on a variety of factors, including data provided by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), document assessments, field assessments, Garbage Free Cities (GFC) ratings, and Open Defecation Free (ODF) status. The assessment also takes into account the processing of waste and the implementation of door-to-door segregation programs. In the 2024-25 assessment, a total of 4,589 urban local bodies were evaluated, with a weightage of 80% assigned to data provided by ULBs, document assessments, and field assessments, and the remaining 20% allocated to GFC ratings, ODF status, processing, and door-to-door segregation. This comprehensive approach ensures that cities are evaluated on a wide range of parameters, promoting a holistic approach to urban sanitation.
The inclusion of Mysuru in the Super Swachh League is expected to have a positive impact on the city in several ways. First, it will enhance its reputation as a clean and livable city, attracting tourists, businesses, and residents alike. A clean and well-maintained environment is a major factor in attracting investment and promoting economic growth. Second, it will boost the morale of the MCC staff and sanitation workers, encouraging them to continue their hard work and dedication. Recognition for their efforts can significantly increase job satisfaction and motivation. Third, it will inspire other cities in Karnataka and across the country to strive for higher standards of cleanliness and sanitation. Mysuru's success can serve as a model for other urban centers seeking to improve their own performance in the Swachh Survekshan rankings. Fourth, it will create a sense of pride among the citizens of Mysuru, fostering a greater sense of ownership and responsibility for maintaining the cleanliness of their city. Public participation is crucial for the long-term sustainability of urban sanitation efforts. The success of Mysuru in achieving this recognition can be attributed to a number of factors, including strong leadership from the MCC, effective planning and implementation of sanitation programs, and active participation of the citizens. The city has also invested in modern waste management infrastructure and technologies, such as composting plants and biogas plants, to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills. In addition to its efforts in waste management, Mysuru has also focused on improving its public toilets and promoting the use of sustainable transportation options, such as cycling and walking. The city has also implemented a number of initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of cleanliness and sanitation, such as street plays and community events. The SSL recognition serves as a motivation for Mysuru to continue to make it better and maintain the level of cleanliness that made it a super swachh city. It can further propel the city to adopt even more innovative solutions and practices to address its urban sanitation challenges. This can include exploring new technologies for waste management, implementing more effective public awareness campaigns, and strengthening partnerships with community organizations and private sector stakeholders. It also presents an opportunity for Mysuru to showcase its success stories and best practices to other cities across the country, contributing to the overall improvement of urban sanitation in India. By sharing its knowledge and expertise, Mysuru can play a leading role in promoting a cleaner and healthier environment for all.
However, the SSL inclusion also presents certain challenges and responsibilities for Mysuru. The city needs to maintain its high standards of cleanliness and sanitation, ensuring that it continues to meet the stringent criteria of the Swachh Survekshan framework. This requires ongoing investment in sanitation infrastructure, effective management of waste, and active participation of the citizens. The city also needs to address any weaknesses or gaps in its sanitation system, such as inadequate public toilet facilities or inefficient waste collection processes. Continuous improvement is essential for maintaining its position as a leader in urban cleanliness. In addition, Mysuru needs to be prepared for increased scrutiny and expectations from the public and the media. The city will be under pressure to maintain its high standards and avoid any setbacks in its performance. This requires transparency and accountability in the management of sanitation services. Another challenge for Mysuru is to ensure that its sanitation efforts are sustainable in the long term. This requires a focus on waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, as well as the promotion of sustainable consumption patterns. The city also needs to address the issue of environmental pollution, such as air and water pollution, which can have a negative impact on public health. In conclusion, Mysuru's inclusion in the Super Swachh League is a significant achievement that recognizes its consistent commitment to cleanliness and sustainable urban development. This recognition brings with it both opportunities and challenges. By maintaining its high standards, addressing its weaknesses, and promoting sustainable practices, Mysuru can continue to be a leader in urban sanitation and a model for other cities across the country. The Swachh Bharat Mission is a nationwide campaign in India for the period 2014 to 2019 that aims to clean up the streets, roads and infrastructure of cities, towns, and rural areas. The mission aims to achieve an Open-Defecation Free (ODF) India by 2 October 2019, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, by constructing toilets. It is India's largest cleanliness drive to date with three million government employees and students from all parts of India participating in 4,041 cities, towns, and rural communities. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has two sub-missions: Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Gramin) and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Urban). The program includes building toilets, promoting sanitation hygiene, solid and liquid waste management, village cleanliness, and creating public awareness. It relies on financial assistance from the government, contributions from the private sector, and community participation. The success of Swachh Bharat Mission is crucial for improving public health, reducing disease burden, and enhancing the quality of life for millions of Indians. It is also essential for promoting sustainable development and protecting the environment. The recognition of Mysuru in Super Swachh League is a perfect example of how sustained commitment and collaborative efforts can lead to significant improvements in urban sanitation.
Source: Mysuru in the ‘Super Swachh League’ among clean cities